JANUARY 12 • 2023 | 37

Rosenthal said Showler’s top 
goal is creating and nurturing 
the growth of Berkley Coffee as 
a community center — a wel-
coming and inclusive space to 
gather and explore and thrive. 
Showler also made the con-
scious choice to invest in his 
employees. The full-time staff 
are on salary and the part-time 
staff are paid a living wage. 
All tips collected go toward 
supporting the musicians who 
perform at Berkley Coffee.
Berkley Coffee opened in 
April 2022. As part of its central 
goals of inclusivity and being a 
welcoming community center 
for all, Showler decided to close 
the shop on at least one major 
holiday of each community of 
faith. 
Showler’s ironic humor per-
vades the space, from the sign 
on the bathroom stall, “PLEASE 
DO NOT WRITE ON THIS” 

to the sign directly across above 
a bunch of markers, “Do not 
write on it with these;” and 
the advisory notice with skull, 
bones and a 
cup of coffee, 
“Coffee Snobs 
Ye Be Warned.
” 
All the coffee 
beans and choc-
olate at Berkley 
Coffee are single 
origin. Signs 
on each tube 
of fresh beans 
provide details 
on the country 
of origin as 
well as flavor 
notes and other 
nuggets of information to pique 
your curiosity and enhance 
your global journey one sip at a 
time. Are you in the mood for 
a mocha? Every ingredient can 
be customized by you, with the 

curated genius, 
upon request, 
of the Berkley 
Coffee staff.
And if you 
enjoy some 
nosh with your hot beverage 
of choice, Jerusalem Bagels are 
available six days a week, and 
NY Bagels every Saturday. And 
if bagels are not your jam, grab 
some Stroop Club stroopwafels 

or a Raaka chocolate.
Berkley Coffee is also avail-
able for private events and 
group meetings. From The 
Well’s Taste of Sukkot collab-
oration with Zingerman’s to a 
weekly AA meeting, Berkley 
Coffee aims to be a space where 
connections are made, commu-
nity blossoms and all feel wel-
come, seen and satisfied from 
the belly to the soul. 

Berkley Coffee is at 14661 W. 11 Mile 

Road in Oak Park. 

Pedro 
Meadows 
performing on 
Thursday night 
open stage at 
Berkley Coffee.

The sign on the 
bathroom stall

continued from page 36

NMLS #718852

B I R M I N G H A M

We can’t help find 
your winter scarf.

But we can help you 
find the right mortgage.

Ad Number:
PP-BOAA-22775A
Trim:
7.375" x 4.8"
Perich Job No:
22775
Bleed:
NA
Colors:
4/C
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Format: 
1/2 Page Ad
Version:
12.22.22

